Monthly Archives: August 2008

Just a glimpse of Charlo in the studio with me as we begin our DREAMGIRLS DANCE PROJECT. Charlo tells the story of how she first reacted to Dreamgirls when she was a Harlette in New York with Bette Midler.

Charlotte Crossley starts off Rick Gianatos’s DREAMGIRLS DANCE PROJECT with her interpretation of the Act I showstopper. Background vocals are directed by Pam Vincent, and the BG vocalists are Pam, her sister Joyce Vincent [both formerly of Dawn], and Trina Lykes.

This Particular Album Gathers Together Key Members of Renowned Female Groups of the 1960s, Including Scherrie Payne, Lynda Lawrence and Cindy Birdswong of the Supremes, Hodges James and Smith, Merry Clayton, Together with the Likes of James Gilstrap, to Produce a Stunning Album of Dance Interpretations of the Best Known Tracks from the Musical. Assembled by Rick Gianatos, this Promises to Be a Big Success Alongside the Original Soundtrack. Read More

Playbill.com
Crossley, Rousouli, Loprest on Deck for Broadway’s Hairspray
By Kenneth Jones
August 29, 2008

Broadway’s Hairspray will get a spritz of new talent in the month of September. Charlotte Crossley will take over the role of Motormouth Maybelle Sept. 2, Constantine Rousouli will join as Link Larkin Sept. 16, and Kate Loprest will play Amber starting Sept. 19.

The hit musical based on the John Waters film comedy won the Best Musical Tony Award in 2003. It plays the Neil Simon Theatre.

Crossley is a former member of the Harlettes, Bette Midler’s legendary back-up group. Crossley started with Miss M in 1973 after stints in Hair and the original Broadway cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. The Harlettes (FTH) had their own album on Columbia, now on ebay and in rare record shops. In Hollywood she appeared in the “Sister Act” movies and on the Oscars (helping Robin Williams in “Blame Canada”). Crossley has recorded with Barry Manilow, Luther Vandross and a galaxy of divas. Most recent Broadway credit is The Color Purple (Church Lady/Doris). She won the 2005 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress (Hairspray first national tour).

Top Vegas Events
Week Ending 08/24/2008
Mon, Aug 25th 2008 9:53 am EST

Event Score
1 Cher Tickets 53.33
2 Bette Midler: The ShowGirl Must Go On Tickets 23.70
3 Cirque du Soleil: “O” Tickets 4.27
4 Donny & Marie Osmond Tickets 2.76
5 Cirque du Soleil: The Beatles: LOVE Tickets 1.97
6 Le Rêve Tickets 1.90
7 Elton John: The Red Piano Tickets 1.86
8 David Copperfield Tickets 1.16
9 Amazing Johnathan Tickets 1.11
10 Cirque du Soleil: KÀ Tickets

Top Events Power Score Ranking Methodology

TicketNews Exclusive Rankings and Power Scores are based on ticket sales from the TicketNetwork Exchangeâ„¢, the world’s largest secondary market exchange. A Power Score illustrates a given event’s category-specific significance. Two factors are used to calculate a power score: total ticket sales from the given event and total ticket sales within the category. As such, power scores should only be used to compare events within a particular category. Read More

Bette Midler Makes a Date with Shure in Sin City
L & S America
August 26, 2008

As effusive and irrepressible as ever, these days Bette Midler takes to the Colosseum stage at Caesars Palace with all the sass and bawdiness that first captivated audiences in the 70s, singing, hip-wiggling, and strutting through her latest extravaganza, The Showgirl Must Go On.

Bette Midler’s The Showgirl Must Go On continues its run at the Colosseum stage of Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Given the show’s fast pace, wireless audio was a necessity. With Midler’s longtime sound engineer David Morgan installed behind a Digidesign VENUE console at front-of-house, Shure’s UHF-R wireless was picked for the task, with Midler given a champagne-finished, KSM9-equipped handheld transmitter to hold every night.

Both Morgan and monitor engineer Brian Hendry are pleased with the KSM9 microphone and the Shure UHF-R wireless system. “All the vocals are incredibly warm and present, providing the audience with a uniquely personal experience of our singers,” Morgan says. “The transmission quality creates a sound that is nearly indistinguishable from a wired version, and the reliability of the signal is unparalleled. As always, Shure has been a very important partner in making this big show a reality, and we very much appreciate their contribution.”

Midler says, “I’ve seen a lot of evolution in technology over the years. Before wireless was what it is today, we would use hardwired microphones with funny little custom holders on Delores’ wheelchair. [She’s referring to the wheelchair-bound mermaid Delores Del Lago, one of her many characters.] Then we moved on to headset microphones. With the tremendous amount of movement we have in this show today, there is simply no way we could do it without wireless microphones. Thanks to my collaboration with Shure, I really believe we’re getting the full benefits of a hardwired microphone in terms of sound quality, all without the fuss of being tied to a cord.”

Midler chose her champagne-hued KSM9 handheld transmitter from among offerings shown to her by Morgan, but, being the showgirl she is, can’t help but dream of other, flashier possibilities.
Bette Midler Makes a Date with Shure in Sin City

As effusive and irrepressible as ever, these days Bette Midler takes to the Colosseum stage at Caesars Palace with all the sass and bawdiness that first captivated audiences in the 70s, singing, hip-wiggling, and strutting through her latest extravaganza, The Showgirl Must Go On.

Bette Midler’s The Showgirl Must Go On continues its run at the Colosseum stage of Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Given the show’s fast pace, wireless audio was a necessity. With Midler’s longtime sound engineer David Morgan installed behind a Digidesign VENUE console at front-of-house, Shure’s UHF-R wireless was picked for the task, with Midler given a champagne-finished, KSM9-equipped handheld transmitter to hold every night.

Both Morgan and monitor engineer Brian Hendry are pleased with the KSM9 microphone and the Shure UHF-R wireless system. “All the vocals are incredibly warm and present, providing the audience with a uniquely personal experience of our singers,” Morgan says. “The transmission quality creates a sound that is nearly indistinguishable from a wired version, and the reliability of the signal is unparalleled. As always, Shure has been a very important partner in making this big show a reality, and we very much appreciate their contribution.”

Midler says, “I’ve seen a lot of evolution in technology over the years. Before wireless was what it is today, we would use hardwired microphones with funny little custom holders on Delores’ wheelchair. [She’s referring to the wheelchair-bound mermaid Delores Del Lago, one of her many characters.] Then we moved on to headset microphones. With the tremendous amount of movement we have in this show today, there is simply no way we could do it without wireless microphones. Thanks to my collaboration with Shure, I really believe we’re getting the full benefits of a hardwired microphone in terms of sound quality, all without the fuss of being tied to a cord.”